Crown of War and Shadow: Kingdoms of the Compass
Feb 2026 · Kingdoms of the Compass Book 1 · Sold by Bramble
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22 reviews
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480
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About this ebook
“J.R. Ward is a powerhouse in the genre and never disappoints!”--Rebecca Yarros, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author
"Absolutely unputdownable!"--Jennifer Armentrout, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author
Crown of War and Shadow is a brand new, sweeping, slow-burn romantasy from #1 New York Times bestseller J. R. Ward, perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Rebecca Yarros, and Jennifer Armentrout!
An outcast burdened with a curse. A mercenary out for himself. A kingdom that must be saved.
In the deep, dark, dead of night, passions rise, and empires fall...
The Fulcrum is failing, and demons are slipping into the mortal world.
No one is safe.
Especially not Sorrel. An orphan and an outcast within the walls of her small village because of her mystical abilities. She wants to survive...and find somewhere she can call her true home. But Fate has other plans.
Sorrel has been chosen. Cursed.
She must cross the Badlands to return the Queen's crown and convince the fearsome female to save their world from destruction.
Well aware she’s no brave hero, Sorrel makes a dangerous deal with Merc, a brooding, commanding mercenary known only by his unscrupulous profession.
The deal? A night in his bed that she will never forget, in exchange for her safe passage.
But Merc has secrets of his own, and even though desire runs hot between them, adventure, danger, and betrayal lurk around every corner.
Crown of War and Shadow is the first book in the Kingdoms of the Compass series.
Crown of War and Shadow
*Forced proximity/Only one bed
*Chosen mates
*Dark mercenary
*Who did this to you?
*Touch her and die
*I'll die for you
*Hidden magic
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
"Absolutely unputdownable!"--Jennifer Armentrout, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author
Crown of War and Shadow is a brand new, sweeping, slow-burn romantasy from #1 New York Times bestseller J. R. Ward, perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Rebecca Yarros, and Jennifer Armentrout!
An outcast burdened with a curse. A mercenary out for himself. A kingdom that must be saved.
In the deep, dark, dead of night, passions rise, and empires fall...
The Fulcrum is failing, and demons are slipping into the mortal world.
No one is safe.
Especially not Sorrel. An orphan and an outcast within the walls of her small village because of her mystical abilities. She wants to survive...and find somewhere she can call her true home. But Fate has other plans.
Sorrel has been chosen. Cursed.
She must cross the Badlands to return the Queen's crown and convince the fearsome female to save their world from destruction.
Well aware she’s no brave hero, Sorrel makes a dangerous deal with Merc, a brooding, commanding mercenary known only by his unscrupulous profession.
The deal? A night in his bed that she will never forget, in exchange for her safe passage.
But Merc has secrets of his own, and even though desire runs hot between them, adventure, danger, and betrayal lurk around every corner.
Crown of War and Shadow is the first book in the Kingdoms of the Compass series.
Crown of War and Shadow
*Forced proximity/Only one bed
*Chosen mates
*Dark mercenary
*Who did this to you?
*Touch her and die
*I'll die for you
*Hidden magic
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
“J.R. Ward is a powerhouse in the genre and never disappoints!”--Rebecca Yarros, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author
"Absolutely unputdownable!"--Jennifer Armentrout, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author
Crown of War and Shadow is a brand new, sweeping, slow-burn romantasy from #1 New York Tim...
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Ratings and reviews
22 reviews
Tammy Payne (Book Nook Nuts)
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September 15, 2026
This was a book I was shockingly surprised by. Sorrel has gone through her life never knowing a very twisted secret. Who her father is... Her mother hid her, with others' help. Sorrel fell hard for a mercenary; he helped her on her travels; however he too held a secret. Merc...the man she fell in love with, even though he ripped out her heart. Sorrel is a strong woman and decides it is time to take things into her own hands and fight her destiny. To fight the man who fathered her. And be pr
Sandy S.
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February 18, 2026
4.5stars-CROWN OF WAR AND SHADOW is the first instalment in JR Ward’s adult KINGDOMS OF THE COMPASS dark, fantasy adventure series focusing on barmaid Sorrel, and the man with whom she will fall in love, Merc.CROWN OF WAR AND SHADOW is a slow building story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, dysfunctional family dynamics, power and control, friendships and acceptance. The premise is dark, dramatic and edgy; the romance is limited yet subtle; the characters are desperate and determined.
Alana Bradley
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June 18, 2026
An incredible read there's not enough words to proclaim the excellent book.
About the author
J.R. WARD is the author of more than sixty novels, including those in her #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling series, the Black Dagger Brotherhood. There are more than thirty million copies of Ward’s novels in print worldwide and they have been published in twenty-five different countries around the world.
J.R. WARD is the author of more than sixty novels, including those in her #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling series, the Black Dagger Brotherhood. There are more than thirty million copies of Ward’s novels in print worldwide and they have been published in twenty-five different countries...
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